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Buffalo Grove Grad Receives Perfect Score on AP Exam

Buffalo Grove High School graduate Selena Groh earned a perfect score on her Advanced Placement (AP) Microeconomics exam last spring.

Groh was one of only 54 of students in the world to earn every point possible on the AP exam – a rare feat. Of the approximately 4.5 million AP exams taken by 2.5 million public high school students across the country in 2015, only 322 students earned every point possible on the test.

Groh, of Arlington Heights, was a finalist on Teen Jeopardy in 2014 and twice earned a perfect ACT score of 36. She has positioned herself for excellence in whatever field she chooses to pursue, said Buffalo Grove Principal Jeff Wardle.

"Selena is a special student," said Wardle. "She is the rare student who is able to intertwine of the cords of natural ability, incredible work ethic and humility into academic success at the highest level. We are proud of her and wish her the best in her studies at Tufts University."

AP exams are based on 5-point scale, where a 5 is equivalent to a grade of A in the corresponding college course. Groh received the top score of 5.

"Selena is an excellent problem-solver and has the ability to think critically. She is a brilliant young leader with both the academic and interpersonal skills desired by society," said Peter Duffer, Buffalo Grove's AP Economics teacher. "I was not surprised to see she used her great marginal analysis skills to earn a perfect score on the AP Microeconomics exam."

In 2015, more than 4,100 colleges and universities around the world received AP scores for college credit, advanced placement and/or consideration in the admission process, with many colleges and universities in the U.S. offering credit in one or more subjects for qualifying AP scores.

"This outstanding accomplishment is likely a direct reflection of the top quality education being offered at Buffalo Grove High School," said Trevor Packer, senior vice president of AP and instruction at the College Board. "We applaud Selena's hard work and also the AP teacher responsible for engaging students and enabling them to excel in a college-level course."